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The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, NY will be hosting a Designer Handbag Bingo

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The Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt are a religious congregation within the Dominican Order of religious sisters  founded in 1890. They are based in the town of Blauvelt, NY. Their traditional service has been childcare, both through teaching and caring for orphans.

In 1862, Mother Hyacinth Scheininger, O.P., was sent from Holy Cross Convent in the Williamsburgh section of Brooklyn in order to teach German girls in Lower Manhattan. It was there that Mary met the cloistered Dominican nuns, who had come from Ratisbon, Germany, to care for children of the German-speaking immigrants to America. She joined the nuns and received the Dominican habit in 1873, at which time she took the name Sister Mary Ann .

By that time, a separate convent on Second Street in Brooklyn had been established. It was in Brooklyn that she began to rescue orphaned children from the streets of New York City, especially immigrant children. Eventually, she was asked by the Archbishop of NY, Cardinal McCloskey, to establish a home for them. Sister Mary Ann and Mother Hyacinth were looking for property in Blauveltville NY, when they came across a “For Sale” sign in front of the Eustace property on Western Highway. They decided to stop and look at the house and property. As they entered the parlor, they were surprised to see an original Grellet painting of the founder of their Order, Saint Dominic, raising a dead child to life—a miracle which had occurred at Saint Sixtus in Rome in the 13th century. For the two nuns, this was a sign and Sister Mary Ann exclaimed, “Here we shall be.”

In 1878, she and a few other nuns established Saint Joseph Convent in Blauveltville NY, Rockland County, New York. Nine immigrant orphans also went with the nuns, the beginning of what is now St. Dominic’s Home.[1]

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Events

Rockland County Free Fall Festival Returns to West Nyack Oct. 18

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The Historical Society of Rockland County will host its 13th Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 18, bringing a day of family activities, live entertainment, historic demonstrations and Revolutionary War reenactments to West Nyack.

Presented in partnership with Heritage of West Nyack and the Town of Clarkstown, the free festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at 131 Germonds Road, adjacent to Germonds Park.

The event will offer visitors an opportunity to experience local history, explore traditional crafts and enjoy seasonal activities for all ages.

Revolutionary War History Comes to Life

One of the festival’s featured attractions will be an encampment by Heard’s Brigade of the New Jersey Militia, offering a look at military life during the American Revolutionary War.

Visitors can explore 18th-century tents and watch demonstrations of open-fire cooking, militia drills and musket firing. Revolutionary War skirmish reenactments are scheduled for 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The festival will also feature tours of the historic Onderdonk-Tallman-Budke and Vanderbilt-Budke-Traphagen houses, along with a presentation by Clare Sheridan titled “Who Was Naut Kanniff? The Story of the Witch of West Nyack.”

Traditional craft demonstrations will include lacemaking by Mayra Petretti of the Metropolitan Chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc., as well as wool and flax spinning demonstrations by Celeste Sherry.

Family Activities and Fall Fun

Families can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities throughout the afternoon, including horse-drawn wagon rides scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Horses R Us 4-H Club will offer pumpkin picking, decorating and painting, while Fred DePaul will present sheep-shearing demonstrations at 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Children can also take part in colonial-era games presented by Tom Hunt of Waterside Forge. Balloony Toony Entertainment will provide balloon animals, face painting and glitter tattoos.

Additional attractions will include free mini-golf, raffles, craft vendors and demonstrations. A pen-turning workshop hosted by the Hudson Valley Wood Turners will be available for participants ages 12 and older. Reservations are recommended, and interested participants can contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com.

Live Music and Entertainment

Music will be part of the afternoon’s festivities, with balladeer Thaddeus MacGregor performing alongside Wee Jim the Limberjack. Additional musical entertainment will feature Scott Staton, Keith Olsen and Pat Keating.

Organizers invite residents and visitors to enjoy an afternoon celebrating Rockland County’s history, heritage and fall traditions.

Event Information

  • What: 13th Annual Fall Festival
  • When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Historical Society of Rockland County, 131 Germonds Road, West Nyack, adjacent to Germonds Park
  • Admission: Free
  • Workshop reservations: Contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com for the pen-turning workshop.

With Revolutionary War reenactments, historic house tours, traditional crafts, live music and family-friendly fall activities, the festival will offer visitors a chance to experience local history while celebrating the season.

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Spirit of Sobro Returns October 2 for 5th Annual Celebration

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Celebrating its fifth year, this popular community event is getting bigger, with the festivities expanding to a second block this year.

The event will stretch from Depew to the gas station, creating additional space for vendors and entertainment. Organizers say 45 vendors are expected, along with street performers, circus sideshows, live music, a DJ, drumming and more throughout the event.

One tradition will remain in place: the Tarot salon inside Modern Druid, which will be open throughout the evening.

Organizers are encouraging the community to come out, support local vendors and performers, and help make this year’s celebration the biggest and most fun yet.

Bring your friends, spread the word and come enjoy an evening of music, entertainment, shopping and community.

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